Transformation of essential minerals into tablet formulation with enhanced stability

Abstract

Essential minerals play a very important role in maintaining our physical well-being. In this work, essential minerals; copper sulphate, zinc sulphate, selenium dioxide, chromium picolinate, sodium molybdate and potassium iodide were prepared into tablet formulation with enhanced stability. These minerals are prepared in a coated or as an adsorbate form so as to increase the stability of the minerals. The coated/adsorbate form was formulated into matrix tablets using hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) by the direct compression technique. The distinctively formed tablet was assessed for its physicochemical properties, in-vitro release, microbiological and stability studies. SEM analysis showed that the surface topography of the tablet displayed mechanical interlocking between the trace elements and polymer. During dissolution, the hydrated tablet shows highly porous network of the polymer matrix. Afterwards, they undergo surface erosion from the porous network and the trace minerals gets released. The in-vitro release of zinc sulphate with polymer HPMC K4M showed a sustained release behaviour and fits into the first order and Korsemeyer-Peppas model. The formulation of the trace mineral tablet shows a sustained release profile with increased stability. This trace element matrix tablet supplements is expected to gain acceptance than the marketed products owing to its sustained release behaviour.